Bassetlaw District Council leader says higher Covid alert level advice could not be ignored

As part of this new system, different parts of England have been placed into medium, high and very high alert levels.

All of Nottinghamshire has been placed in the high alert level (tier two) which has added some local restrictions to those that were already in place.

This decision was taken by the Government based on recommendations from their scientific advisors including the chief medical officer.

It then became law once it was voted on by MPs and approved in Parliament this week.

While the leaders of the district, borough, city and county councils were briefed on these plans last week by Nottinghamshire and Nottingham’s directors of public health, Bassetlaw District Council did not request to be placed into any specific alert level, nor have we requested any additional local measures for Bassetlaw.

The Government’s decision to place Bassetlaw in a ‘high alert’ tier will not have been taken lightly, but when the advice comes from the chief medical officer and public health officials, it cannot be ignored.

The truth is that cases are rising across Bassetlaw and Nottinghamshire, as well as in our neighbouring authorities of Doncaster and Rotherham.

The numbers of Covid positive patients being admitted to Doncaster and Bassetlaw Hospital Trust has seen a sharp increase from single digits in early September to now more than 50.

Public health officials are very clear that we must act now to try and curb our rising numbers and prevent more people from contracting the virus.

But this must also be backed up by the Government who need to provide much more financial support for local people and business who will be placed under even greater pressure due to these new measures that have been imposed.

We all have a role to play in reducing the spread of the virus in Bassetlaw.

We must all follow the guidance, act responsibly and take account for our own actions.

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